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Julie Answers: What to do if I have POST-postpartum depression?
Amy asked: I had a baby 8 months ago, I’m going through a breakup, and I feel depressed all the time. I always want to be sleeping, but at night I can’t even seem to fall asleep. I have no energy to clean my house or even get dressed. I love my baby so much but I miss my old life. I miss the me I used to be before I was a mom. I feel so guilty for feeling this way I just can’t stop crying. Some days I feel like a bad mom.
Dear Amy ,
I am so glad that you reached out, because it is absolutely vital for you to get the help and support you need right now. It sounds like you might be questioning whether you are having “real” postpartum depression because you had your baby eight months ago. There is a clear answer to this confusion — it absolutely is real. Postpartum depression (PPD) can arise at any time during your baby’s first year. Late-onset PPD is every bit as serious and warrants the same attention and treatment as PPD that comes on sooner after delivery.
Priority number one should be for you to obtain medical and psychiatric help. For finding treatment in your community, start with your ob-gyn. I’m guessing you might not have informed them of what you are going through. This often happens with late-onset PPD. Women are no longer seeing their doctor for regular pregnancy and…
